Friday, 12 August 2016

Are you all enjoying the summer season? Whilst enjoying a nice walk in the country air over the weekend I began to notice autumn is firmly on its way, and another sign of this is the royals returning from their summer break. Today, Kensington Palace announced the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Luton in Bedfordshire for a day of engagements on Wednesday 24 August.

Kensington Palace Twitter Feed

The packed day will begin with a visit to Luton's iconic Bute Mills, to see local organisations working with young people, with a focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Following a £3.2 million renovation, the building re-opened in April as the new home for Luton-based, national charity Youthscape. William and Kate will meet people working with mental health organisations CHUMS and Our Minds Matter. Both local organisations are striving to raise awareness and address stigma issues.

Youthscape

Next, the Duke and Duchess will visit Keech Hospice Care, where they will meet families and volunteers. Keech Hospice Care's mission is to help children and adults to live pain and symptom free, to spend time with their family and friends, to understand what is happening to them, and to stay out of hospital. William and Kate will attend a reception before unveiling a plaque to mark 25 years of the adult hospice.

Keech Hospice Care

Finally, the royal couple will pay a visit to Hayward Tyler Luton, to present them with the Queen's Award for Enterprise (International Trade), and to open their newly built Centre of Excellence. More from the press release:

'The company has been operating from its current site since the early 1870s, and is the global centre of design and development for its key products, the Boiler Circulating Pump and wet-wound motors. Other achievements include producing the first submersible motor in the early 1900s, the largest sub-sea motors and providing units to all the Royal Naval submarine fleet. The newly built Centre of Excellence is the result of a £20m investment, the largest in the company’s history.'

It promises to be an interesting day with a nice variety of engagements focused on key areas such as mental health and hospice care as well as supporting a successful local company and employer. The day before the visit, 23 August, William will visit Düsseldorf, Germany to celebrate 70 years of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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Richard Palmer reports the Cambridges returned from their family holiday in France last Friday to their country home Anmer Hall. The family flew to France in the Duke of Westminster's jet. Sadly, as you may have heard, the Duke, Gerald Grosvenor passed away due to a heart attack on Tuesday, aged 64. His wife Natalia is Prince William's godmother and he has served as something of a mentor to the future king. He was a close friend of Prince Charles. Indeed, William and Kate asked his son Hugh Grosvenor to be one of Prince George's godparents; at just 25 he has now become the seventh Duke of Westminster. Below we see the the late Duke with his wife Natalia and daughter Viola at the requiem mass for Hugh van Cutsem in 2013.

Kensington Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were very sad to learn of the Duke of Westminster’s passing. Their thoughts are very much with his family this morning.” Below we see the Duke with Prince William at an illegal wildlife trafficking conference in Washington in 2014.

'Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor was born on December 22 1951. He was the only son of Lt-Col Robert Grosvenor, Ulster Unionist MP for Fermanagh and County Tyrone (Britain’s westernmost constituency) and one-time parliamentary private secretary to Edward Heath. His mother was Viola Lyttleton, daughter of the 9th Viscount Cobham. The family home was a farm on the island of Ely on Lough Erne, near Enniskillen.

Gerald enjoyed what he once called a “Swallows and Amazons childhood” with his two sisters (who became in due course the Countess of Lichfield and the Duchess of Roxburghe, though both were divorced) and in later life lamented the fact that the accident of inheritance had taken him away from the placid life of an Ulster beef farmer like his father.

Having failed to gain a place at Eton he was despatched to Harrow, which he hated, leaving with only two O-levels. His talent was for sport, but a suggestion from George Cohen, manager of Fulham FC, that he should have a trial to join the club was vetoed by Col Grosvenor on the grounds of too much kissing on the pitch.'

The Duke was very much dedicated to his military and charitable duties across a broad spectrum of areas:

'His many charitable interests ranged from the NSPCC and the Drug and Alcohol Foundation to the Royal London Hospital, where he raised funds to build a new Children’s Unit, and the presidency of the Manchester 2000 Olympic Bid Committee.

Deeply concerned about land conservation and other rural issues, he rescued the Soil Association from financial difficulties and was a major backer of the Countryside Movement and the 1998 Countryside March.

In 2009 he began privately raising the funds for a £300 million purpose-built Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre for the treatment of injured members of the Armed Forces, at Stanford Hall, near Loughborough, to replace the facility at Headley Court in Surrey in 2018. The Duke was appointed OBE (1995), KG (2003), CB (2008) and CVO (2012).'

Zimmermann has released an updated version of the Roamer Day Dress Kate wore during the 2014 royal tour. The Roza Broderie Day Dress is described: "From our Summer Swim 16 collection, in White floral broderie anglaise. Fitted bodice and waistband, half sleeve and full skirt. Circle insert trim through waistband, sleeve and skirt. Centre back zip closure. Cotton lined through skirt and front of bodice."

We've also added several additions to our Repli-Kate page. With thanks to all who have shared their tips and finds.

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With all quiet on the royal front (presumably) until engagements resume, I have been considering posts during the interim. Most of you will recall Julia suggested we have readers choose their dream looks for Kate last August and it turned into an enormously fun and creative activity. Would you all be interested in doing the same again, this time choosing a potential look for the Canada tour? Let me know in the comments, if so we'll get it underway over the weekend. :)

75 comments:

Great to see some new engagements on the horizon :) I always love these "away days" and it's a great way for them to introduce themselves to more of the country (even though this is fairly local). And seems like a very nice balance of events, covering their mental health focus, Kate's hospice involvement and the more "royal popping into town lifting up industry"-engagement. Also nice seeing William taking a bigger role overseas, and meeting yet another world leader.

I was very shocked to hear about the Dukes passing, and have "enjoyed" learning more about him. He'll surely be missed by many. In the last post we talked a bit about if they will go to the funeral and I think William will go, but on Kate going I said: "I'm torn on it. I could see her do both. I could absolutley see her go. But also see her not going. The Queen for example rarely goes to weddings and funerals unless immensly close family etc. Partly because she gets ALOT of invitations, but a big deal is also because she pulls focus. Both from the bride/deceased but also brings photographers. And while Kate is not nearly the Queen, she is very much photographed and a "pull" for focus. So I could see her sit this one out since it's more of a "Williams relation" than hers. But I could also see her wanting to go and pay her respects. I think neither things would comment on her closeness or thankfullness for the duke though." On this comment I would also add that the late Duke has been VERY (and I mean VERY) keen to keep privacy around his family, and especially his son, so I wouldn't be shocked if the funeral is surprisingly low key, or if they will try to avoid press.

On the "design your own idea" I am very much up for it! It was such a fun feature and so great to see everyones different ideas. A great way to keep the blog free from gnabbing and detours as well :) So I say AY!

So sorry to hear about the Duke's passing, but am pleased that the family kept it private, as it should be. As you stated Rebecca, if he was that private of a person, surely he would not have appreciated the press involved. It's a somber occasion for the family and they should be allowed their mourning in privacy. This should take away all the speculation about who attends the funeral. Would agree that a memorial service is more appropriate for the royals to show their respects. Makes sense that it would be senior royals. Still very sad, by all accounts the Duke of Westminster was very well respected and thought of...a true English gentleman. cc

Yes, I thought the family remembrance would be a very quiet affair with perhaps a latermemorial to give a chance for others to honor him. Although, there have been similar circumstances when the later public memorial never actually transpired. A public funeral with reporters and cameras and spectators is so difficult for a family to endure soclose to the apparently sudden loss. Hard enough without all that.I think it very possible William and Catherine, along with Charles, perhaps,attended this. It may have been as simple as the release of ashes, with nochurch ceremony-which would have been hard to keep private.Anon 11 August,01:32.

I believe the Cambridges are quite close and considered family. Also,the whole point was to avoid publicity. The announcement said close family, but it did not say "no royals were there." There are multiple people who could be consideredblood relations. I think the emphasis was on "close." If they had announced "friends,"hundreds of people would have wondered why they weren't included. This was diplomatic and after the fact on purpose to avoid such speculation by possible invitees.Of course, the Cambridges arriving home on the day could have been coincidence.

In a statement, the Grosvenor Estate said: 'A quiet private funeral service, attended only by close family members, was held this afternoon, Friday August 12, for the Duke of Westminster who died on Tuesday August 9 2016.'

No more details of the service - including its location - were released but it said a memorial service would be held later this year.

It is understood that no members of the royal family attended the service.

What a lovely August surprise--the visit to Luton! Thank you so much for posting the news and the information about the Duke of Westminster. Looking at photos of the Duke over the last few years, it looks like he had lost a lot of weight. He was a heavy smoker as well. His son looks very young for 25 but has been well prepared. I like your idea of a fantasy wardrobe--I am no good at putting outfits together but shall enjoy seeing the others!! I leave for Eire and England (mainly the West Country) for 2.5 weeks--looking forward to that. I need my annual fix although I have dh 95% convinced to retire to Eire next year. I have Irish citizenship through my grandmother. Canadian, US and Irish, what a combination!

How wonderful, enjoy your R & R. Am envious of your going to Ireland, it is my dream trip and am hoping to make it to England and Ireland next year!! Am American, but have Irish, Scottish and Swedish ancestry! Sounds like a grand time, enjoy!

I agree with you about not being able to put things together for a wardrobe, but truly do enjoy seeing the other talented ideas!! I am in favor! :) cc

i would love to chose a dream look for kate again it was so fun. can't wait to see them out and about again seems like forever since we have seen them. was very sorry to here of the dukes passing i'm sure it is very upseting to william. thanks charlotte

Ahh, I see. Thank you :) That is what I thought you were saying but I wasn't sure so I'd thought you'd ask. I don't disagree per see. Except for it would be highly ineffective to travel to another location like this time after time. This way the places get visits at all. And I remember that when Kate only did one engagement a day, that people thought "while she's out of the house, why can't she do some more". I think this is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think there is some merit to that bunched together visits doesn't give as much individual focus. But as others have said. It's not always about pulling focus, but going out and meeting people. This is the standard bread and butter royal "away day". The classic "visit a school, visit a industry etc" kind of royal event together with the hospital and some of their own interest on the side. This is the most standard kind of royal work day, so I don't see any issue with it. And I don't disagree, I just don't agree :P

Even if they did fewer engagements on the day, they would not spend much longer with the organization than they would if they were doing more. Most royal visits are 1-2 hours maximum. Better cost wise with transport and security to do as much as they can in an away day. Each one will still be highlighted.

This is how royal family members usually manage things - engagements are rarely long, even if they are the only one that day. I do think they have a nice variety here. Because the Cambridges don't do a lot of engagements, each event is likely to get a fair amount of attention - that is one advantage to relatively few engagements. The drawback of course is many worthy causes get no attention at all.

I take your point, Anett. If they do four engagements in one day, each one doesn't get the recognition they'd get if they were spread out more. However, they are getting out, even if it's only one day, so I don't have much to say really. August is not a month they tend to work, and I could get snarky and say they'd have had to work four whole days in August if they spread them out, but I won't. :)

But I do hope Catherine is going to put an entry in to the Kate outfit post, Erika!

I would love to do the Canada look idea but could we maybe do a couple separate posts? We obviously don't know if there will be any formal receptions but those are the most fun looks to dabble with. Could we do a white/black tie look for one post, a day time look and perhaps her arrival outfit or something honoring Canada as she often does for host countries of tours? That way we could drag it out during the empty days until the tour and I don't have to choose which type of look to do.

Also an overview of Canadian designers might be a nice addition. Ones that Catherine has worn before and a couple she has not but would be a good fit?

If you ever need any help with the posts like the choose a look ones, just finding a picture of each item and what not, I would be happy to help in any way. You work so hard and have so much going on in your life. I have three kids who start school again very soon and my MS makes it hard to be super active in the summer. I am pretty internet savvy and a great proofreader as well. Just offering. You do a wonderful job, just offering to lift a little off your shoulders.

Courtney, I think the "non black tie" events are actually more fun. Mainly because it gives us an opportunity to dress Kate in items we talk about her wearing one day - like a lovely pant suit or something different. Also it would give us an opportunity to think about where she would be visiting during the tour and what would fit.

Different strokes for different folks! I'm starting to pick my outfit for Kate visiting the Butchart Gardens in Victoria! :-)

Hi! Great post as always! I was wondering if you have a guess as to when they might release the full itinerary for William and Kate's visit to Canada? I'm from Manitoba, a province in Canada and since they didn't come here last time, I'm very eager to find out if they might be stopping here! Thanks :)Britt

Mary, you need not post a picture, just links to the garments and accessories for the design. As for weather, it will be cool and possibly rainy along the coast. I'll leave inland Yukon weather to others to predict! :-)

Love the idea of a new "dream looks" poll for potential Canada tour outfits! Also, would you consider updating the Jewelry tab to include all of her recent pieces, including her Kiki additions? I'd love to see sections for earrings, necklaces, etc.

I hope the Luton visit will include some of the diverse immigrant communities. My father had a parish there in the Sixties, and it was culturally vibrant even then. It is even more so, now; and some of its aspects are challenging.

They will visit the youth charity area that works closely with different faithgroups to destigmatize mental health issues and other things in different groups, so I think that probably includes alot of immigrants :) So I think that is taken into consideration, as it should :)

British readers will understand. I am a little loath to air our dirty linen here. Just google "Bury Park, Luton", "Britain First". There are important political and social difficulties in our society which I would like to see the Royal Family more engaged with. Probably they are, behind the scenes. I am pretty sure the Prince of Wales has been active. "Defender of Faith", for example, rather than "Defender of the Faith".

I should perhaps make it clear that I am totally opposed to the aims of Britain First, and that I have no time at all for those who claim ascendency for a single faith. My father the vicar felt the same, and I believe the Royal Family should also make their position on religious intolerance known. The Cambridges' visit to Luton would be a good time to do this.

I'd love to do a choose your dream look for kate again, it was so much fun last time!

Yes, unfortunately summer will be over soon and autumn is right around the corner... my last day on holiday in Italy and William and Kate have added engagements to their calendar - very strong signs for the end of summer!

Condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the Duke of Westminster.

He will, no doubt, be greatly missed. Apparently, from what I've read he did prepare his son for dukedom responsibilities. Much better than he was prepared, and that was virtually not all. The Duke's widow seems like a very formidable woman who will no doubt greatly help her son in his new role. She has that Russian chutzpah, being from the Russian aristocracy. I would not want to mess with her even just from the photos I have seen. lolShe most likely knows the workings of the dukedom as much as her husband did and more to boot.

I hope they name a branch of the military reserve after him as he contributed so much to that. That is a legacy he would enjoy.

I think the idea for a day wardrobe and and evening outfit on two separate threads is a good one, with an overview of Canadian designers, new and old would help us in our design endeavors, as suggested. I am excited to see what everyone comes up with. We have some amazing stylists on this blog. (and that DOES include you also Tammy).

I also think that a whole long page dedicated to all of Prince George's precious expressions would be a fun one. I was looking at them and it is amazing how many and varied his expressions are. They could easily fill more than one blog page. Some of his reactions to the people in the reception areas had me laughing out loud.

A great shame about the Duke of Westminster - he seemed like a very decent man - one who wanted to make a mark outside of his wealth with the Territorial Army. The family has suffered other tragedies in the past on Natalia's side -the death of her brother and the loss of Luton Hoo. The new duke does seem very young in appearance and mostly what we hear about is his 21st but he is said to have a core of close friends from university and hopefully they, along with his mother and sisters - will support him in his responsibilities.The queen doesn't normally attend funerals. I don't believe it has anything to do with the attention she would draw but I've heard various other reasons given including protocol and probably just the sheer awkwardness of whose funerals to attend. I've heard that extended to the Prince of Wales as well - he is said to have used that rationale to send Diana alone (and very pregnant) to attend the funeral of her uncle - yet he was making pots of tea when Camilla's brother died so it all seems to be a bit ill defined.Since the queen attended the marriage of one of the Westminster daughters, it doesn't seem impossible that she would attend the duke's funeral, although far from certain. Charles seems more likely although he refused to attend the wedding because he was angry about the placement of Camilla - I imagine that's all blown over as it mostly concerned the van Cutsems and he did go to that funeral - with Camilla. I would certainly expect both William and Kate to attend - no excuses there. It could well be private though with no photographs - we will know soon enough. It would be lovely to have another feature on clothes for the Canadian tour - I've found two more designers from British Columbia - one of whom has a dress that would look a dream on Kate with a fabulous necklace - the Queen Alexandra comes to mind - one not much used by the queen. Even though the Yukon is likely to be informal, Victoria is such and elegant city, there does seem room for at least one formal event. Some fascinating jewel possibilities too.This would be massive work for Charlotte who already does so much but since Courtney has so generously volunteered...perhaps a way could be found. I miss the long days of late spring - early summer - my favourite time, with summer slipping away all too soon and time going by so quickly. But I recall what the singer Teresa Stratas said - she was speaking to a dying friend she was caring for, about which season was her favourite and her friend said "all of them!"

A new "dream look" post for the Canadian tour would be so much fun! Everyone puts so much thought and consideration into their selections. I thoroughly enjoy looking at all the outfits and the notes on how each item was chosen.

Charlotte, your walk in the village sounds delightful!! Here in dc its hot! iIts gonna be in the 90s-100s F all week next week. A fun look at the designs for the Canada tour sounds awesome. It would be interesting to see the creativity in the design choices! XOXO

I'm all for the dream outfit post (if Charlotte is willing to take it on!), but I am making a prediction here... Kate will recycle her red outfit from their arrival in New Zealand, or the red gown from the State Banquet with the Chinese president.

I thought that too about the red outfit from her arrival to New Zealand! Would love to see that one again. Sadly, am not a fan of the red gown from the State Banquet :(, although loved how she looked, tiara and all. If there is something more formal, would like to see a new red gown with her beautiful red suede pumps (yes, am Team Suede:)) cc

I do think red is possible but I wonder about a repeat gown. Kate has always debuted new gowns on tours, with the exception of New York and that was a private event. Since this tour seems to be a prelude of the Canadian anniversary year in some way, I think there will be new clothes (I still remember how Italy felt second best when Diana wore a repeat gown to La Scala.)

It may be a mostly casual tour but I hope they honour the great Canadian cities on the West Coast with a formal event or even two.

I thought cc meant the red suit she wore meeting with the earthquake victims in Christ Church for some reason.I believe she had worn it with a black turtleneck to sign the condolence book with William at the embassy in London. It may be too strongly identified with New Zealand, although I believe she has worn it since.Was that the red coat worn with the hat that prompted catty "stewardess" remarks? She wore it deplaning and was also criticised for a "wardrobe malfunction" that could only be seen in retrospect in a one second flash still.It may carry too much baggage and it's a shame.

Julia-what private event in NYC? It sounds as though you meant the whole visit was private. The St. Andrews anniversary could be called a private event technically, as they are graduates there.She looked absolutely stunning in the blue-green Jenny Packham (St. Andrews colors) with her updo and gorgeous green jewels.Pregnant tummy and all.

Royalfan completely agree about the New Zealand outfit...it's one of my favorites too for the same reasons. It was perfect!

You are right bout the Jenny Packham Bollywood gown....total statement and now I think a red statement gown is definitely in order!! If Charlotte posts a dream outfit challenge, perhaps one could be finding a statement red formal dress (might even venture a try)!! Would certainly be a nice nod to the host country. cc

Royalfan completely agree about the New Zealand outfit...it's one of my favorites too for the same reasons. It was perfect!

You are right bout the Jenny Packham Bollywood gown....total statement and now I think a red statement gown is definitely in order!! If Charlotte posts a dream outfit challenge, perhaps one could be finding a statement red formal dress (might even venture a try)!! Would certainly be a nice nod to the host country. cc

Anon 22:12, I meant the one when she got off the plane with the Jackie Kennedy pillbox hat!! It is a classic style and certainly warrants a repeat somewhere, sometime. However, you may be right about the "baggage" that it carries, that and the "catty" remarks about stewardess look are a shame for sure. Certainly don't see it as her arrival dress but at the very least the dress or the hat would be a nice repeat showing in Canada (the Duchess just may mix it up for us in Canada). Perfect red, perfect style and classic silhouette that suit the Duchess. cc

Hi Charlotte- brilliant informative post as usual! I leave about 20 mins from Luton and would love to see wills and Kate! Do you know how I could find out/work out rough times they would be visiting?? Becca zx

Nice post and I would agree that we'll see a lot of her recent red outfits recycled for another tour of Canada...the dream outfit posts last year were lots of fun....I did not participate but will try this year

Another suggestion for future Royal lulls would be to have a full page on all the many and varied expressions of Prince George, from a baby till now.Some of his reactions to dignitaries made me laugh out loud.

No ones better have that floral Erdem as their suggested look for the trip lolI loved the lace dresses she wore the first time in Canada they were perfection... Especially the one she landed in Canada in. That was perfection

So sad about the duke of westminster... hopefully they'll leave his son the new duke alone for some time to mourn his father- he is so young!

I would love to choose a look for kate for the tour of canada! Maybe we could do different posts for different events/styles? For example, one evening gown for a black or white tie dinner, one very 'canadian' look for the arrival or anniversary of canada etc, and one daytime engagement to visit a charity?

Terrible news about the Duke of Westminster. The entire RF must be in mourning. Glad to hear the news about a new event for the Cambridges. We have been away on holiday, thus I am just getting caught uo. Missed everyone.

I am happy that the Cambridges are going on Tour. I just found out through other sources that they are taking Prince George and Princess Charlotte. I am going to love this. I am so excited can't wait to be seeing them all together.

A Stella McCartney outfit for high tea at the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, or the Grand Pacific Hotel, both overlooking Victoria's inner harbor. Tea would follow visits to Butchart Gardens and, with the children, to the woderful Royal BC Museum near the hotels.

A Stella culotte:http://www.stellamccartney.com/us/stella-mccartney/wide-leg-trouser_cod36771203eh.html?tp=#section=rtw_trousers?utm_campaign=affiliazione_us&utm_content=10&utm_medium=affiliazione&utm_source=linkshare_us&tp=51961

A Stella top:http://www.stellamccartney.com/us/stella-mccartney/shirt_cod38504763lk.html#section=rtw_tops

Kate's own blue suede pumps (worn to entertain the President and Mrs. Obama at KP) and her Annoushka pearl (on the Kiki McDonough diamond hoops) earrings. Suggested design by Chic Designer

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